The Inflammatory Breast Cancer Network UK

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The Inflammatory Breast Cancer Network UK The Inflammatory Breast Cancer Network UK is a registered charity in England & Wales (1177635) and Scotland (SO052303). Don't know what IBC is?

Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) is a rare form of breast cancer with a poorer prognosis that is not typically discovered by mammogram and often occurs prior to standard breast cancer screening age recommendations. Don't feel bad, most people are very uneducated about IBC. Our goal is to bring this "orphaned disease" into the limelight and encourage education and funding of research for this 200 year old form of breast cancer. We need to be educated on this cancer type if we are going to save lives! This is a quick check list of symptoms of IBC which include:

• Breast swelling, where one breast is suddenly larger than the other
• Breast that feels warm to touch and may look infected
• Itching or shooting pain
• A dimpling of the breast skin that looks like an orange peel (peau d’orange)
• Thickening of the skin
• Flattened or discolored ni**le
• Swelling in underarm or only on one side of neck
• Might feel lump, however lumps are not common in IBC. [email protected]" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://[email protected]

🧡 Julie's Story: Awareness, "Not Always a Lump"Why does Julie think awareness matters?"Very few people have heard of IBC...
20/10/2026

🧡 Julie's Story: Awareness, "Not Always a Lump"

Why does Julie think awareness matters?

"Very few people have heard of IBC, which may not present as a lump."

IBC is rare, aggressive and often poorly understood. Julie is fundraising so that more people diagnosed have the best possible chance of earlier diagnosis, effective treatment and a future beyond cancer.

🧡 This October, Wear It Orange, share this post, and help someone recognise the signs sooner.

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/wearitorangeday

https://www.ibcnetworkuk.org/symptoms

🧡 Julie's Story: 600 daysIn August 2026 Julie completed a year of HER2-targeted treatment and had a precautionary mastec...
19/10/2026

🧡 Julie's Story: 600 days

In August 2026 Julie completed a year of HER2-targeted treatment and had a precautionary mastectomy of her right breast.

Her active treatment may be behind her, but the journey continues: long-term treatment will run until 2032. In her words, 600 days of treatment is "a huge milestone."

Right now, Julie is focused on joy, holidays, removing stress and learning new skills: golf, art and tennis. 🎾🎨⛳

She's also fundraising to support greater awareness, research and understanding of IBC. 600 Days. 600 Miles. One Step at a Time.

Walking and cycling 600 miles to raise awareness, support research and help improve the future for people diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer.👉

https://www.justgiving.com/page/julie-ramsay-600

Thank you, Julie. 💛 Would you like to share your story too?
https://www.ibcnetworkuk.org/support-us

🧡 Julie's Story: Recovery is its own journeyJulie's recovery after surgery was one of the hardest parts. From May 2025 u...
18/10/2026

🧡 Julie's Story: Recovery is its own journey

Julie's recovery after surgery was one of the hardest parts. From May 2025 until March 2026 she had persistent, severe seromas, where fluid repeatedly built up in the space left by her mastectomy, sometimes needing to be drained.

On Christmas Eve 2025, exactly a year after her diagnosis, she was back in hospital when her skin broke down after the combined effects of the seroma and radiotherapy. In March 2026 she needed further surgery on her chest wall.

When chemotherapy wasn't working at the start, Julie leaned on support beyond the hospital. She says Maggie's in Dundee supported her emotional health through the hardest points. Julie was honest with us: she didn't know about the IBC Network UK when she was first diagnosed. She found us later, when she started thinking about fundraising, and is now proud to support our work.

Her story is a reminder of why we do this: so that no one has to search this hard to find IBC information and support. If you've just been diagnosed, we're here.

Her advice to others facing IBC: ✔️ Partner with your medical team
✔️ Think ahead of appointments about the questions you want to ask
✔️ Use Maggie's if there's a centre near you

If you have an IBC diagnosis, our community is here for you too.
If you're in a long recovery, we see you. No two diagnosis, people or journeys are ever the same🧡

If you are struggling you can talk to your breast cancer nurse, GP friend and family, charities, and mental health professional

https://www.maggies.org/our-centres/

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/get-help

https://breastcancernow.org/all-services/talk-to-a-nurse

https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/

Or join our support group and speak to others that have inflammatory breast cancer

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ibcsupportuk/

🧡 Julie's Story: A change of courseIn May 2025 she had surgery to remove her left breast and the lymph nodes from her ar...
17/10/2026

🧡 Julie's Story: A change of course

In May 2025 she had surgery to remove her left breast and the lymph nodes from her armpit.

Pathology found a lymph node that chemotherapy hadn't fully cleared. Further testing showed the remaining cancer was HER2-positive, which changed her treatment plan. From July 2025 she had nine weekly cycles of chemotherapy alongside HER2-targeted treatment, which continued for a full year, until August 2026.

Treatment plans can change as new information comes in. Staying in close contact with your care team matters. 🧡

What is HER-2? https://make2ndscount.co.uk/about-secondary-breast-cancer/understanding-your-diagnosis

https://www.ibcnetworkuk.org/whatisibc

🧡 Julie's Story: Treatment beginsJust days after diagnosis, on 3 January 2025, Julie started nine fortnightly cycles che...
16/10/2026

🧡 Julie's Story: Treatment begins

Just days after diagnosis, on 3 January 2025, Julie started nine fortnightly cycles chemotherapy, with the aim of shrinking a 13cm tumour.

She wore the cold cap throughout in the hope of protecting her hair. Despite her best efforts, her hair eventually fell out. 🧡

IBC moves quickly, which is why treatment often starts so soon after diagnosis.

What is IBC?
https://ow.ly/MgJm50ZXWum

Learn more about scalp cooling

https://ow.ly/tpCp50ZXWup

On Christmas Eve 2024, Julie was diagnosed with two rare forms of breast cancer: invasive mucinous carcinoma and inflamm...
15/10/2026

On Christmas Eve 2024, Julie was diagnosed with two rare forms of breast cancer: invasive mucinous carcinoma and inflammatory breast cancer (IBC).

While most people were enjoying the days between Christmas and New Year, Julie was travelling across Scotland for urgent scans.

Over the coming days, she's sharing her journey: 600 days of treatment, the setbacks, the people who helped, and why she's fundraising for IBC awareness and research.

Thank you, Julie, for trusting us with your story.

Learn more about IBC here

https://www.ibcnetworkuk.org/whatisibc

Learn about different types of breast cancers visit

https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/diagnosis/types-of-breast-cancer

🟠IBC is rare, but recognising the signs early can save lives. ➡️Swipe through to learn the key facts and symptoms to loo...
06/10/2026

🟠IBC is rare, but recognising the signs early can save lives.

➡️Swipe through to learn the key facts and symptoms to look out for, including swelling, redness or discolouration, skin changes, and more.

⚠️Awareness is the first step to early detection.

🧡Share this post to help us spread the word and support more people across the UK.

🟠IBC is rare, but recognising the signs early can save lives. ➡️Swipe through to learn the key facts and symptoms to loo...
06/10/2026

🟠IBC is rare, but recognising the signs early can save lives.

➡️Swipe through to learn the key facts and symptoms to look out for, including swelling, redness or discolouration, skin changes, and more.

⚠️Awareness is the first step to early detection.

🧡Share this post to help us spread the word and support more people across the UK.

🍊 THE ORANGE PEEL CHALLENGE — peel as much of an orange in one strip as you can, hold it up, say “orange-peel skin is a ...
04/10/2026

🍊 THE ORANGE PEEL CHALLENGE — peel as much of an orange in one strip as you can, hold it up, say “orange-peel skin is a sign of IBC,” tag 3 friends. £3 if you can spare it — link in bio. 🧡

🍊 Save the date: Sunday 4 October is Wear It Orange Day!Dig out your brightest orange top, scarf, socks or earrings, and...
28/09/2026

🍊 Save the date: Sunday 4 October is Wear It Orange Day!

Dig out your brightest orange top, scarf, socks or earrings, and have it ready to wear on the day. And keep your eyes peeled 👀 because The IBC Network UK is announcing a brand-new challenge on the 4th, and we'd love you to be part of it.

Why orange? Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) often has no lump. Instead, it can show up as skin changes: redness or discolouration, swelling, warmth, and skin that thickens and pits, similar to the peel of an orange. Most people have never heard of it. We want to change that.

Noticed a change in your breast or chest? Please speak to your GP.

See you on the 4th! 🧡

Address

The IBC Network UK , 11 Whitborn End
Malvern
WR142XB

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Website

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